What is a professional organizer?
A Professional Organizer (PO) is an individual who uses and teaches organizing principles and systems. Generally
working side-by-side with each client, a PO helps decide which items no
longer serve, organize what remains and set up systems to maintain the
order. The result is less stress, more time and money, and increased efficiency, productivity and harmony.
Ellen, do you work on residential or business organizing?
I handle residential, small business and relocation services:
· Residential: I help each client clear clutter, from attic to basement, including bedrooms, closets, kitchens, garages, etc. We get to the issues behind the clutter and set up systems to keep it at bay.
· Office: I provide space planning, paper and electronic organizing, and time and task management services.
· Relocation: I assist “clutter-bugs” pre-pack their belongings before they put their homes on the market; seniors who are downsizing, from planning to unpacking; and newly relocated individuals with unpacking so their new home is organized and welcoming.
Do you have a niche?
My specialty is organizing home offices of sole entrepreneurs. Business owners who “do it all” often can’t find time to keep up with paper work and become overwhelmed. I provide advice and guidance, expedite the process and transfer the skills needed to “catch up and keep up”. Together we identify time wasters and prioritize tasks. The result is more time for what matters and the accomplishment of important tasks.
Do you charge by the hour or project?
I charge by the hour since it is difficult to predict how long it will take someone to sort through their items. This is standard for professional organizers. I am happy to discuss my hourly rate and welcome phone calls and emails.
What should I do when I want help but am embarrassed by my mess? I don’t want anyone, even an organizer, to see it.
Getting help when you have difficulty motivating yourself is a great idea. A couple of things to remember about me and my work:
· I do not judge you or your home and I honor confidentiality
· I love my profession and choose to work with people with clutter
· You are not your clutter – you are a wonderful and worthwhile person
My home and office are a mess! I need your services. Are they expensive?
I do all I can to keep my clients’ costs down. I assign “homework” for those who want to accomplish tasks between visits. My services offer a great Return on Investment. You will have control of your life and space again. You will be able to remove those “post-it notes” from your head and develop work-flow systems. You will learn skills to last a lifetime - with the calm, motivating support of a caring and capable professional.
